Speaker: John Simpkins, General Counsel of the United States Agency for International Development. Prior to joining USAID in July 2015, he served for two years as the Deputy General Counsel in the White House Office of Management and Budget.
John spoke to Rotarians about his involvement with the team that fought -successfully - to have the confederate flag removed from the South Carolina State House following the 2015 Charleston Church shooting.
John Simpkins is a Liberty Fellow and a moderator at the Aspen Institute. He is in town to participate in the annual convening of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
Guests: No guests this week (at least none who found their way to the Mountain Chalet).
Mike Connolly was introduced as the newest member of our club (read his bio below). Sam Johnston organized and attended a retreat for the Rotary Exchange students who have just returned to Colorado after studying for a year abroad. Their stories are impressive and Sam promised that we will see our two returning excstudents at a Thursday meeting in the near future.
Race Day: August 13, 2016 - Title Sponsor: Clark's Market
The Silent Auction Committee, Emily Burr, Meredith Maaske, and Todd Brewer reminded Rotarians that the deadline for silent auction items is August 4. Please deliver your items to Todd's executive suite at Aspen Sports, 408 E. Cooper Ave.
Our mall tent will be open from July 30 to August 13. If you used the online sign-up form last year, you should have received an email from signup.com on July 21. If you did not receive this email, contact Craig Melville, and you will be able to sign up for mall shifts online.
Thursday, July 28: At the Aspen Meadows; another world leader from the Aspen Institute. Name TBA.
Charles Cunniffe celebrated his 65th birthday by coming to Rotary today! Craig Melville complimented Theatre Aspen for recently winning 8 prestigious "Henry Awards" from the Colorado Theatre Guild. Rick Newton complimented Emily Burr for the fabulous music concert last Sunday. Steve Wickes complimented Maurice Emmer for finding Steve's (deliberate?) error in last week's newsletter.
Mike Connolly is a managing director and principal of East Coast Asset Management. He opened the firm's Aspen office in 2015. Mike has been an asset manager for individuals, non-profits, foundations, and endowments for 20 years. He has also been a volunteer for many causes, including English in Action, The Healthy Community Fund, Challenge Aspen, The Aspen Homeless Shelter, Sister Cities, and others. He was a founding board member and treasurer of The Children's Health Foundation and has served on several other boards in CO and DE. Mike was born and raised in Wilmington, Del. He graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He worked in DC for a consulting firm and for the Senate Judiciary Committee. Mike moved to Aspen in 2001. His wife Ashley is an Aspen native, therapist, and author. They are the parents of two young boys ages 3 and 5. Mike loves to run, bike, and ski with family and friends. Welcome Mike!
The Weekly Newsletter of the Rotary Club of Aspen.
The Silent Auction Committee, Emily Burr, Meredith Maaske, and Todd Brewer reminded Rotarians that the deadline for silent auction items is August 4. Please deliver your items to Todd's executive suite at Aspen Sports, 408 E. Cooper Ave. 
Mike Connolly is a managing director and principal of East Coast Asset Management. He opened the firm's Aspen office in 2015. Mike has been an asset manager for individuals, non-profits, foundations, and endowments for 20 years. He has also been a volunteer for many causes, including English in Action, The Healthy Community Fund, Challenge Aspen, The Aspen Homeless Shelter, Sister Cities, and others. He was a founding board member and treasurer of The Children's Health Foundation and has served on several other boards in CO and DE. Mike was born and raised in Wilmington, Del. He graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He worked in DC for a consulting firm and for the Senate Judiciary Committee. Mike moved to Aspen in 2001. His wife Ashley is an Aspen native, therapist, and author. They are the parents of two young boys ages 3 and 5. Mike loves to run, bike, and ski with family and friends. Welcome Mike!
